Standing idly by

For something that is so present and normalised nowadays, do we really know enough about what is "Hate" and why do we hate?
Can a casual remark from a parent during a news segment be the start of a journey towards hate? 
Daisy explores the Pyramid of Hate and how it shows us the stages that people move through on their way to causing harm through hate. 
In the show Daisy is aiming to support listeners to recognise the reality of hate as an issue in our society to support you as you seek out the transformative processes that will help to eliminate the threat of hate based behaviour. 

Elections are about VOTERS!

With the announcement of a General Election in Ireland on Feb 8th we have a first reaction from Cllr Daisy and some tips about how to engage during the intense campaigning that will materialise from now until Polling day.
Don't be passive!
Check your own values.
Think about the Social Contract.
Don't worry about Posters (this time).
Take responsibility for your role in this important and possibly defining election!

Cllr Grace McManus joins Daisy on the Podcast to share her own insights as a new Councillor and to give a very real example of two Motions that are coming to the next Council meeting about Child Homelessness and the Living Wage.
As a young politician Grace represents our hopes for how the political arena can evolve into a more dynamic space. She is well aware that change doesn't happen overnight and is a living example of the struggle for young people to exist in a political structure that is not very compatible with modern life in terms of salary, time commitment and expectations.

An episode exploring the backlash to a decision by the Irish Govt to organise a commemoration event for RIC/DMP Black and Tans which were an entity under the control and direction of the British crown with an explicit purpose of preventing Irish independence by any means necessary.
To "commemorate" without consideration for the harm caused by those forces to Irish people is to not appreciate that traumatic events of one hundred years ago are still alive in the Irish psyche today.

Exploring well being in politics and the reaction to candidates who are choosing not to stand in the next election because of sense of futility about the political structures and the ability to have a real impact.
While wondering how we as elected reps manage the emotional reality of our roles in the political arena I share some mindfulness tools and approaches that serve me very well.

First podcast for Cllr Dermot 'Daisy' O'Brien exploring the importance of 'Change' in local, national and global politics. Touching on the current fracture between people and politicians and the importance of rebuilding that connection in the spirit of managing the changes that are required as we navigate our way into a sustainable future.